Chapter 1-Arabella Zayana

"Bella, please, come on, I promise this is the last time,” said Shreya, clasping her hands together and giving her best puppy eyes.

Arabella narrowed her eyes at her best friend. She leaned back in her chair with her arms crossed over her chest.

Shreya Valerry and Arabella Zayana had been best friends since junior high. Shreya came from a broken home, while Arabella grew up in a harmonious family.

Their circumstances were completely different. Still, Shreya’s financial situation was much better than Arabella’s. Shreya was the only daughter of a successful businessman, while Arabella was the daughter of a cake shop owner. The shop wasn’t big, just a small one, but it was popular because Arabella’s mother was an excellent baker.

The lives of these two friends couldn’t have been more different. One was lucky to have a complete, loving family but struggled financially. The other was blessed with wealth but lacked emotional warmth.

Once again, Shreya was asking Arabella to take her place on a blind date arranged by her father. Shreya didn’t want to be in a relationship built on an arrangement. She wanted love to grow naturally, without pressure or plans.

“Okay, what kind of guy is it this time?”

“Aaaa, seriously, Bel?” Shreya squealed, her eyes sparkling.

“But this is the last time I’m helping you. I don’t want what happened yesterday to happen again,” Arabella said, staring hard at her friend.

Shreya smiled awkwardly. The last time Bella had replaced her, she ended up on a date with an old man who could’ve been their grandfather. Shreya still couldn’t understand what her father had been thinking. How could he find her a husband like that?

“I promise, this time it won’t be an old man who smells like dirt while eating with you.”

“So, what’s he like?”

“Dad said he’s handsome, successful, and young, of course. But I forgot. He’s the son of a famous businessman, and I don’t remember the company name.”

“You never have clear information, do you!” Bella scolded.

Shreya just laughed, showing off her neat white teeth.

She looked at her watch. “Oh no, we’re running out of time! We have to go to the boutique now, then the salon!” she panicked, pulling Bella’s arm.

Bella, unprepared for the tug, stumbled but managed to steady herself.

The two girls ended up at a well-known clothing store instead of a boutique because it would take too long otherwise.

“Shreya, didn’t you say the date’s today?” Arabella asked, surprised. She thought it was going to be on Saturday night like usual.

“Oh, this time the guy’s busy. Dad said he’s a CEO candidate taking over from his father. I don’t even know who his father is. Anyway, we’re following his schedule. Okay, there’s no time, let’s find a dress that fits you!” Shreya clapped her hands, excited.

Arabella couldn’t understand her friend’s way of thinking. How could everything be so last minute? If she weren’t her best friend, she wouldn’t go through all this trouble.

The two of them started looking for a dress that would suit Arabella.

Arabella picked one, but Shreya said it didn’t fit her vibe. The same thing happened when Shreya chose one. Bella tried it on, but it didn’t look right either.

Then one of the salesgirls stepped in with a suggestion. She showed them a dress from the latest collection, a maroon cocktail dress. Shreya’s eyes lit up the moment she saw it.

“Okay, hurry up!” Shreya said, grabbing the dress and pulling Arabella into the fitting room.

Arabella spent quite a while inside the box-shaped room, which had a large mirror that made it easier to see the full look.

When Arabella finally stepped out, Shreya’s smile widened as she raised and lowered her eyebrows playfully.

“Wrap it up, please,” she said to the salesgirl.

The dress fit Arabella perfectly.

Next, they headed to the salon, their usual spot for these “missions.” The staff already knew them and exactly how to do Arabella’s makeup. But this time, Arabella asked for a softer look, not as heavy as usual.

The last time she wore heavy makeup, she woke up the next day with pimples, her face covered in red spots. She felt uncomfortable going to the office looking like that.

“Are you sure?” Shreya asked, wanting to confirm, because if she wore light makeup, people might recognize her.

Arabella nodded confidently. She didn’t want to sacrifice her skin again. “Besides, I won’t see him again anyway.”

Shreya could only nod in resignation, agreeing with Arabella’s reasoning.

It took quite a while, making Shreya a little panicked as time kept ticking away. Not long after, the makeup artist finally spoke.

“All done, ma’am. Is this okay?” she asked, waving her hand under Arabella’s chin.

Shreya was amazed by the result.

“Wow... I don’t know if it’s your magical hands or if her face is just that beautiful, Bel!”

“If you want to praise me, just do it, don’t hold back.”

Shreya glanced at her watch again. “Come on... there’s no time left!”

The two of them hurried to a well-known restaurant in the city. They couldn’t let the guy arrive before them, or their plan would fall apart.

“Okay, everything’s still safe,” Shreya said in relief when she saw that the table reserved under her name was still empty.

“I’m counting on you. I want him to feel as uncomfortable as possible with me, so he won’t want to go through with this arrangement, okay, Bel?” she said seriously, cupping Arabella’s hands. The gesture immediately drew the attention of people at nearby tables.

Arabella noticed the stares and glanced around from the corner of her eyes.

She pulled her hands away. “You’re confusing people, you know that?” she protested.

Shreya looked around, realizing the situation, then smiled awkwardly.

“Anyway, just like usual. Okay, my beautiful friend,” she said, making Arabella smile.

“Okay, princess.”

“Alright, I’ll wait outside. You got this!”

Arabella gave her two thumbs up.